Vivian waitedexpectantly.
Daisy shoved her arm. “What?”
“Nothing. I just think that, maybe, you have a little crush onBeckett.”
“What?!” Daisy shoved her harder. “Stop it.” Heat began to spread from her chest all the way to the roots of her hair. She cursed her fair skin, hating that her emotions played out like a movie inHD.
“You are so totally busted.” Vivian shook herhead.
Daisy did her best to summon her dignity with a lift of her chin. “I may have thought he was attractive when we wereyounger.”
“And now?” proddedVivian.
“And now, I can see why some people may find him good-looking.”
Vivian rolled her eyes. “Deny it all you want, but you’re living in Crushville right along with your 11 millionviewers.”
Daisy chewed her bottom lip. “Maybe I shouldn’t have put him on mychannel.”
“Are you kidding? This is the best idea. You need to play it up for the camera, get a little cozy with theguy.”
“I can’t do that!” The whole idea gave Daisy a huge case of thebutterflies.
“Sure you can. You’re a woman, he’s a man. Let the math addup.”
“I hatedmath.”
“But you liked chemistry.” Vivian bumped Daisy with hershoulder.
Daisy did a “wha wha,” but she couldn’t stop hold back hergiggles.
When Beckett stepped out of the changing room in the best pair of jeans on the planet, she sucked in air through her teeth and her laughter floatedaway.
“Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner.” Vivian pulled out her camera and beganfilming.
Daisy approached slowly, worried Beckett had heard what they said while he changed. Even if he’d heard half of the conversation, she’d have to find a place to rent until he moved out, because she’d never be able to show her face in her home while he wasthere.
Vivian had him turn in a slow circle with his arms held slightly out to his side while she videoed. He obliged, being un-Beckett-like in his cooperation. He smiled easily. “I actually like these. They’recomfortable.”
Daisy stepped forward. “The best clothes feel good to wear and they make you feel good. Let’s getstarted.”
Beckettshrugged.
Daisy smiled and waved at the lens. “Hello, friends. Thanks to your generosity, we’ve raised more than enough money for this guy to get a head-to-toemakeover.”
Beckett cupped his hands around his mouth and mimicked the sound of a crowd cheering. Daisy’s nerves calmed. Having him as an active part of the video instead of a reluctant makeover-ee lifted a worry. She made a heart shape with her fingers and placed it over her chest. “Thank you so much, friends. You’ve gone beyond yourself, your circle, and even your country to help women and children—moms—have a betterlife.”
Beckett placed his palm on her back, and she paused. “I can’t tell you what this means to a person to have accessible, clean water.” He swallowed hard. “You became a hero in their lives—they don’t take the giftlightly.”
Daisy watched the sincere gratitude swirl across his face. His gratitude to her subscribers was real and true. She reached up and cupped his cheek with her hand, feeling the soft beard beneath her palm as she turned his face towards her. They paused for a beat, not for the camera’s sake, but because the air between them became too heavy to talkthrough.
He smiled down at her and said low, “Thankyou.”
She nodded, willing herself to turn back to the camera. “Well, now it’s time for the payoff.” She smiled, feeling giddy because she was the one who got to spend this time with Beckett. “Every pair of jeans is different. I’ll bet I could pull two pairs of the same label and size off the rack and find small discrepancies that change the way they fit.” She hooked two fingers inside Beckett’swaistband.
He jumped to the side. “Hey.”
She laughed. “Don’t be squeamish.” She tugged him closer. “A good pair of jeans will sit on the hips. You should be able to fit two fingers comfortably between then skin and the fabric. Any tighter and even a man can develop a muffin top—any looser, and he risks showing the world hisboxers.”
